Grammy-winner Jose Feliciano is outraged that the theme from his holiday song "Feliz Navidad" was used for a musical spoof about undocumented immigrants.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Scientists discover how the brain encodes memories at a cellular level
Scientists at UC Santa Barbara have made a major discovery in how the brain encodes memories. The finding, published in the December 24 issue of the journal Neuron, could eventually lead to the development of new drugs to aid memory.
The team of scientists is the first to uncover a central process in encoding memories that occurs at the level of the synapse, where neurons connect with each other. [...]
The production of new proteins can only occur when the RNA that will make the required proteins is turned on. Until then, the RNA is “locked up” by a silencing molecule, which is a micro RNA. The RNA and micro RNA are part of a package that includes several other proteins. [...]
Part of strengthening a synapse involves making new proteins. Those proteins build the synapse and make it stronger. Just like with exercise, when new proteins must build up muscle mass, synapses must also make more protein when recording memories. In this research, the regulation and control of that process was uncovered.
The production of new proteins can only occur when the RNA that will make the required proteins is turned on. Until then, the RNA is “locked up” by a silencing molecule, which is a micro RNA. The RNA and micro RNA are part of a package that includes several other proteins. [...]
When the signal comes in, the wrapping protein degrades or gets fragmented. Then the RNA is suddenly free to synthesize a new protein.
Scientists discover how the brain encodes memories at a cellular level
The Power of Magical Thinking
Research Shows the Importance of Imagination in Children’s Cognitive Development
Is the Tooth Fairy real? How about the garbage man? Those questions may seem trivial, but how young children answer them is an important indicator of cognitive development.
For years, imagination was thought of as a way for children to escape from reality, and once they reached a certain age, it was believed they would push fantasy aside and deal with the real world. But, increasingly, child-development experts are recognizing the importance of imagination and the role it plays in understanding reality. Imagination is necessary for learning about people and events we don’t directly experience, such as history or events on the other side of the world. For young kids, it allows them to ponder the future, such as what they want to do when they grow up.
Science News
From BBC-Science:
 | | A "molecular switch" that can prevent Huntington's disease developing is found in mice. |
| Europe's Goce satellite returns remarkable new data on the way the pull of gravity varies across the Earth. | | For the first time, chimps are seen using tools to chop up and reduce food into smaller bite-sized portions. |
Liars and Fools
Liars and Fools today are:
Talking head Jim Quinn lies: "Your republic died in November of 2008".
Nope, it was restored.
Tom Price (reptile - Georgia) lies claiming Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder have “a disdain for our form of government”.
By "our" form of government he means autocratic dictatorial, and not the form of government established by the formation of these United States
Dimbulb is still lying saying that "there are death panels back in this bill" which "cannot be repealed".
This moron just keeps proving just how stupid he is.
The idiot Neal Boorts lies claiming "the damage Obama and the Democrats are doing will surpass this tragic event" — meaning9/11/2001 .
No, that was the shrub cabal.
Lush Dimbulb lies yet again saying the founding fathers "rose up against a tyranny that is nothing compared to" health bill, and adds that liberalism is "un-American".
The syphilis is kicking up again, eh?
Glenn Brick's substitue lies claiming health care reform will "weed out the undesirables," make us "all become slaves", and calls Democrats the "party of eugenics".
Nazi calling others Nazis.
Talking head Jim Quinn lies: "Your republic died in November of 2008".
Nope, it was restored.
Tom Price (reptile - Georgia) lies claiming Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder have “a disdain for our form of government”.
By "our" form of government he means autocratic dictatorial, and not the form of government established by the formation of these United States
Dimbulb is still lying saying that "there are death panels back in this bill" which "cannot be repealed".
This moron just keeps proving just how stupid he is.
The idiot Neal Boorts lies claiming "the damage Obama and the Democrats are doing will surpass this tragic event" — meaning
No, that was the shrub cabal.
Lush Dimbulb lies yet again saying the founding fathers "rose up against a tyranny that is nothing compared to" health bill, and adds that liberalism is "un-American".
The syphilis is kicking up again, eh?
Glenn Brick's substitue lies claiming health care reform will "weed out the undesirables," make us "all become slaves", and calls Democrats the "party of eugenics".
Nazi calling others Nazis.
How to make sure your charity checks out
How to make sure your charity checks out
Evaluate a charity's ability to deliver on your good intentions with these seven measures.
Easy no-cook appetizers for holiday parties
Easy no-cook appetizers for holiday parties
You don't have to slave in the kitchen or spend big bucks to host a great holiday gathering.
Military to scrap pregnancy punishment
Military to scrap pregnancy punishment
A policy that drew fierce criticism from women's advocates and U.S. senators will be lifted, a general says.
Stem cells restore vision in man's eye
Stem cells restore vision in man's eye
Russell Turnbull says his life has been transformed after a tragic incident 15 years ago.
Pet reindeer and the man who loves her
Pet reindeer and the man who loves her
Abandoned by her mother, Star has a home with Albert Whitehead in Alaska.
How to avoid awkward holiday chit-chat
How to avoid awkward holiday chit-chat
Here's what to say when busybodies and know-it-alls approach you.
The Rat toppled
Pope knocked down at xmas eve mass
Pope Benedict XVI was surprised by a woman who jumped a barrier at St. Peter's Basilica.
Unfortunately the 82-year-old was unhurt
Also:
Storm snarls last-minute holiday travel
Storm snarls last-minute holiday travel
Weary travelers battle icy roads and delayed flights to reach their Christmas destinations.
De La Lastra's Law
- After the last of 16 mounting screws has been removed from an access cover, it will be discovered that the wrong access cover has been removed.
Yemen claims 30 killed in raid on Qaida hide-outs
Backed by U.S. intelligence, Yemeni forces struck a series of suspected al-Qaida hideouts Thursday, killing more than 30 militants in its stepped-up campaign against the terror network, the government said.
US blasts trial of Chinese dissident
The United States is sharply criticizing China's trial of a prominent Chinese dissident as being "uncharacteristic of a great country."
Liu Xiaobo was detained a year ago before the release of an appeal for more civil rights in China that he co-authored.
He was tried Wednesday on subversion charges and faces up to 15 years in jail.
US blasts trial of Chinese dissident
Liu Xiaobo was detained a year ago before the release of an appeal for more civil rights in China that he co-authored.
He was tried Wednesday on subversion charges and faces up to 15 years in jail.
US blasts trial of Chinese dissident
Police stop generous 5th-grader with $10,000
Police say a fifth-grader handed out about $300 to others on the bus ride to his eastern Indiana school.
Runaway convert case
Family issue or test of sharia law in US?
A muslim girl who converted to christianity in Ohio fled her family because she said she felt her life was in danger.
A judge ruled Tuesday that the family must discuss their religious views, though they are not required to meet in person.
The muslim teenager who converted to christianity and ran away from home, claiming she feared for her life, does not have to meet with her parents in order to mediate her future, a judge ruled late Tuesday..
A muslim girl who converted to christianity in Ohio fled her family because she said she felt her life was in danger.
A judge ruled Tuesday that the family must discuss their religious views, though they are not required to meet in person.
The muslim teenager who converted to christianity and ran away from home, claiming she feared for her life, does not have to meet with her parents in order to mediate her future, a judge ruled late Tuesday..
Inmate on suicide watch commits suicide
An inmate kills himself inside the Cuyahoga County jail, even though a judge had ordered him placed on suicide watch.
Teabagger Worried His Magic Prayers Made God Kill Inhofe
If only it was that easy ...
A panicked teabagger called up C-SPAN in tears today, worried that he accidentally killed repugican Jim Inhofe by praying for Democratic Senator Robert Byrd to die. This is one of the saddest things ever to appear on C-SPAN.
You might have heard that repugican Tom Coburn told health care reform opponents on Sunday to pray for 92 year-old Byrd to die so that Democrats would be a vote shy of the 60 needed to break repugicans’ filibuster. [...]
Inhofe wasn’t dead, of course. According to Roll Call: Inhofe “was absent to fly his wife home to Oklahoma in advance of the Christmas holiday.”
Teabagger Worried His Magic Prayers Made God Kill Inhofe
And they wonder why they are considered to be morons?
Escaped prisoner taunts police on Facebook
Craig “Lazie” Lynch vanished from Hollesley Bay Prison in Suffolk in September this year close to the end of a seven-year sentence for aggravated burglary.
Instead of hiding away from police Lynch has set up a Facebook account complete with a photograph sticking his middle finger up and boasts about eating 12lb steaks and his home being so warm it feels like the Caribbean.
The burglar has become prolific Facebooker with 199 friends and has even posted when he is going round to friend’s homes and attending parties and events.
Sun, moon may trigger California tremors
Sun, moon may trigger California tremors
Scientists say tidal forces are causing tremors that could help predict earthquakes.
How to buy a diamond as prices drop
How to buy a diamond as prices drop
An oversupply of polished gems means now is a good time to find a bargain, experts say.
Psychological tricks of restaurant menus
Psychological tricks of restaurant menus
Colors, fonts, punctuation and layout can all entice diners to spend a little more.
Major storm spreads across the Midwest
Major storm spreads across the Midwest
Holiday travelers deal with flight cancellations and icy roads in the heartland.
Common myths about babies
4 common myths about babies
Contrary to popular belief, touching the soft spot on your infant's head won't hurt its brain.
States gaining the most population
States gaining the most population
One big Central state added more residents than any other in the nation.
When to call a catfish a 'catfish'
When to call a catfish a 'catfish'
Scientists say a fierce debate over which fish should be called a catfish is an "absurdity."
How retirement benefits will change in 2010
How retirement benefits will change in 2010
Payouts have kept pace with inflation since 1975, but next year will be far from typical, experts warn.
Where homes are losing the most value
Where homes are losing the most value
These areas experienced the biggest drops in housing prices from their peak.
Peel a banana like a monkey
Peel a banana like a monkey
The fastest, easiest way to open a banana is probably not the way you're doing it.
Also:
U.S. father gets his son back from Brazil
U.S. father gets his son back from Brazil
David Goldman and his 9-year-old son are finally reunited after a five-year custody battle.
Last-minute tax breaks to take
Last-minute tax breaks to take
Tax season seems far off, but there are only days left to lower your 2009 tax bill.
Unusual Holidays and Celebrations
There are no unusual holidays or celebrations today.
But today IS the LAST shopping day before Xmas!
But today IS the LAST shopping day before Xmas!
Daily Almanac
Today is Thursday, Dec. 24, the 358th day of 2009.
There are seven days left in the year.
This is Christmas Eve.
There are seven days left in the year.
This is Christmas Eve.
Today In History December 24
Our Readers
Some of our readers today have been in:
Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Zagreb, Grad Zagreb, Croatia
Macau, Macau, Macao
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Buenos Aries, Distrito Federal, Argentina
Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines
Vilvoorde, Brabant Wallon, Belgium
Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
London, England, United Kingdom
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
York, England, United Kingdom
Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Zagreb, Grad Zagreb, Croatia
Macau, Macau, Macao
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Buenos Aries, Distrito Federal, Argentina
Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines
Vilvoorde, Brabant Wallon, Belgium
Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
London, England, United Kingdom
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Budapest, Budapest, Hungary
York, England, United Kingdom
Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Daily Horoscope
Today's horoscope says:
You may have to face the fact that all good things must come to an end, but you don't have to let these endings ruin your day.
Use change as a chance to transform and grow rather than worry about what you're going to miss.
This is a good opportunity to get out of a rut and move onto something bigger and better.
You may feel uprooted for a while, but eventually you'll come to love your newfound freedom.
Freedom, yeah!
You may have to face the fact that all good things must come to an end, but you don't have to let these endings ruin your day.
Use change as a chance to transform and grow rather than worry about what you're going to miss.
This is a good opportunity to get out of a rut and move onto something bigger and better.
You may feel uprooted for a while, but eventually you'll come to love your newfound freedom.
Freedom, yeah!